19 November 2012 · Delegated
Isle Of Man Breweries, George Hotel, The Parade, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1lg
This application sought permission to install telecommunication antennas and associated equipment at The George Hotel, The Parade, Castletown, in connection with a related consent application. The hotel is a three-storey registered building located within the Castletown Conservation Area, and already had a microcell antenna fitted to the front of its left-hand chimney at the time of the application. The key planning issue was whether the new antennas would harm the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the registered building. The application was assessed by case officer Mr Ian Brooks and approved by the Development Control Manager under delegated authority. Permission was granted with four conditions attached to the approval.
The Department of Infrastructure approved the application on 19 November 2012. The central planning question was whether the proposed antennas would harm the character and appearance of the Castletown Conservation Area and the registered building, and the application was found acceptable on that basis.
General Policy 2
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural interest will not be permitted
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Environment Policy 32: Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted. 7.27 Change of Use of Registered Buildings 7.27.1The best use for a Registered Building is usually the use for which the building was designed. However, it is recognised that it is often necessary to look for a new use to secure the economic future of the b uilding. It is important therefore that any new use is appropriate and that physical alterations are sensitive to its character. (1) Curtilage is defined in Appendix 1
Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
GENERAL CRITERIA APPLIED IN CONSIDERING REGISTERED BUILDING APPLICATIONS
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/3 General criteria applied in considering registered building applications The issues that are generally relevant to the consideration of all registered building applications are:- • The importance of the building, its intrinsic architectural and historic interest and rarity, relative to the Island as a whole and within the local context; • The particular physical features of the building (which may include its design, plan, materials or location) which justify its inclusion in the register; descriptions annexed to the entry in the register may draw attention to features of particular interest or value, but they are not exhaustive and other features of importance, (e.g. Interiors, murals, hidden fireplaces) may come to light after the building's entry in the register; • The building's setting and its contribution to the local scene, which may be very important, e.g. Where it forms an element in a group, park, garden or other townscape or landscape, or where it shares particular architectural forms or details with other buildings nearby (including other registered buildings).
ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. Registered building consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made, against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals. Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension, consideration will also be given to the cumulative affect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence.
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This permission relates to the installation of telecommunication antennas and equipment as shown in drawing numbers GEORGE HOTEL/001 Rev:A, GEORGE HOTEL/002 Rev:B, GEORGE HOTEL/003 Rev:B and Kathrein antenna details date stamped 16th August 2012 and GEORGE HOTEL/004 Rev:A date stamped 1st October 2012.
Condition 3
Within one month of the antennas and their supporting structures being installed, they shall be colour coated to match the existing render of the chimney stack. Any replacement or modification shall be colour coated to match within one month of it being carried out.
Condition 4
In the event of the antennas erected under this approval become redundant they must be taken down along with all ancillary infrastructure and be removed from the site within 3 months of the cessation of the use and carry out any necessary repair work to the chimney stack as a result of any damage caused by installation of the antennas.
